As an analytics manager for Nike, his role is to strategically think about and improve how the company does business. He looks into the inner workings of every aspect of the company, from colorways and textures of products to the capacity of individual Nike stores.

He came to the athletic apparel giant from Target, another well-known retailer, where he was a senior business analyst. In Minneapolis, Rho oversaw $400 million in inventory, 60 percent of which was produced in November and December.

“It’s a space where you need to be as strategic as possible to make sure you’re not wasting any products or business in that capacity,” he said. “You’re also making smart decisions and how we actually drive profitability.”

After spending a year in Toronto with Target, learning how products transition in and out of seasons, Rho came to Nike in New York.

“My work has always been strategic, it’s always been thinking beyond today, thinking about how we do things smarter and more efficiently and effectively,” he said. “I understand where we are in need of different tech and resources and tools for us to do our jobs better.”

Speaking to local high school students at a networking fair, Rho preached the importance of passion in a career, which drives his own work life.

“At the end of the day, if you’re not working for yourself as a business owner, you’re going to work for someone else,” he said. “If you have to get up every morning to go to that job, you better be excited about it. If you’re not passionate about it, you’re not excited about it.

“Be passionate about what you do,” Rho added. “Love it and find opportunities for you to develop and create within it.”